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How Boomie does mushrooms
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SoCal
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10 July 2010
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13 July 2010 - 2:22 pm
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I see there are a number of people here who give their dogs mushroom supplements.  I do too.  But I am surprised that I don’t see any mention of the brand that I have been buying.  It’s called Fungi Perfecti, and I read about it on the Bone Cancer Dogs forum a couple of years ago.  They have a special blend for pets called MUSH that is supposed to be very close to the ingredients of K-9 immunity , but at a much better price. The only mushroom in K-9 Immunity that’s missing from the Mush is A. brasilienses. I make up for that by getting the A. brasilienses extract separately and adding it in with the Mush. Even having to take that extra step, it’s still cheaper (or at least it was when I was checking it all out). So that’s why I decided to try it.. And I decided I’d forego the Transfer Factor, for the simple (and yes, ignorant) reasoning that I couldn’t really understand how it works, and it only meant spending more money, and besides, maybe the mushrooms could still be effective on their own. 

 A one-pound container of Mush powder costs $45*, and lasts several months.  A 2 oz dropper bottle of A. brasilienses extract is about $37* and lasts over 2 months.  Boomie gets a teaspoon of the Mush, mixed with cottage cheese, plus about 15 drops of the extract, with his breakfast every day.

I offer this post, not as any kind of endorsement or advertisement, but just to say this is what I am doing for my dog, FYI.  I will be the first one to say that I am no expert, and reading stuff online can be a crapshoot in terms of whether you get good or bad information.  All I know is Boomie is alive long past what we were told to expect.  Whether it’s the mushrooms, the grace of God, or dumb luck, we may never know.   I’m just glad he’s here.

 

*Plus shipping charges, and (maybe?) tax

 

Cindy

 

Cindy and Boomie

Boomie's leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma on May 15, 2008.  He enjoyed over two and a half years of life after that, one day at a time.  He died on Feb. 21, 2011.

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13 July 2010 - 4:49 pm
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Hi Cindy,

Thanks so much for mentioning the product and sharing Boomer's plan. We've always meant to look into MUSH, but haven't because we personally had more experience with K9 Immunity and others also had their experiences with Power Mushrooms. Yep, I do believe you're the first to talk about it here.

You're so right, nobody knows for sure what the real reason is why some dogs on mushroom supplements live longer and others don't. We feel strongly that Jerry's longevity was due to a combination of the mushroom therapy and his diet, and chance. Sadly, there are many dogs taking mushrooms who don't fare nearly as well. Until there are more verified scientific studies done with this type of therapy, we'll all be making assumptions based on anecdotal evidence.

The ingredients of MUSH and K9 are similar. But my main question is; how do you determine what dosage of A. brasilienses to add?

Also, do you know what the shelf life is of the formula? If one container lasts several months, how does humidity affect it?

As for Transfer Factor, my understanding is that it's not required, but is taken as extra insurance for the body to utilize the benefits of the therapy. In times of stress when the body needs more of the beneficial aspects of the therapy, the transfer factor will kick in to ensure the body gets it. I'm pretty sure that's what it means, anyhow.

Anyhoo, we're so glad Boomie is here too! Thanks so much for sharing.

 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Cleveland, OH
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13 July 2010 - 4:53 pm
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Thanks so much for sharing!!  I can't wait to get Denali started on her mushrooms and on her treatment.  I just want the best for her.

 

I'm so glad that this has been working so well for Boomie!!

~~~~ Denali ~~~~

June 9, 2010 OSA suspected

June 17, 2010, July 14, 2010 Clear X-rays – no mets

July 1, 2010 Amputation

July 9, 2010 OSA Confirmed

November 23, 2010 Cancer took you from me - Never forgotten, Always Loved - Forever

Supporting the Fighters, Admiring the Survivors, Honoring the Taken, And never, ever giving up Hope

SoCal
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13 July 2010 - 8:17 pm
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jerry said:

 how do you determine what dosage of A. brasilienses to add?

On the dropper bottle, it says "suggested use: 15 to 30 drops twice per day."  This is an extract meant for human use.  I figure that a full-size human might take 30 drops X2, but since Boomer weighs about 65 lbs, 15 should be plenty.  And since the Mush powder is given once per day, I am doing the same with the drops.

 

Also, do you know what the shelf life is of the formula? If one container lasts several months, how does humidity affect it?

 

No idea about the shelf life.  There's no expiration date on the container.  (I'm actually surprised that I never noticed this before, especially since I usually double-check the dates on all his meds and other supplements!)  I live in SoCal, where humidity is not an issue, so another mystery there.   I guess I shoulda done my homework better.  But I bet Paul Stamets, mushroom expert and president/founder of Fungi Perfecti, could tell us.

Cindy and Boomie

Boomie's leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma on May 15, 2008.  He enjoyed over two and a half years of life after that, one day at a time.  He died on Feb. 21, 2011.

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13 July 2010 - 9:04 pm
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buglady said:

 I guess I shoulda done my homework better.  But I bet Paul Stamets, mushroom expert and president/founder of Fungi Perfecti, could tell us.


 

Hey, no "shouldding" on yourself! ; )

I'm thinking that an interview with Mr. Stamets and a Tripawds Nutrition Blog post about FP is in the works! Thank you so much for the nudge, we think more pawrents should know about it. Mind if we quote you in the post?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

SoCal
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13 July 2010 - 9:15 pm
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Sure, quote away!

Cindy and Boomie

Boomie's leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma on May 15, 2008.  He enjoyed over two and a half years of life after that, one day at a time.  He died on Feb. 21, 2011.

10711
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13 July 2010 - 9:35 pm
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Cindy,

thanks so much for sharing....I'm definitely going to look into this. I'm currently not really doing all that much for Fortis. I opted not to persue chemo. Fortis gets chiropractic/acupuncture treatments, basic supplements, and a high quality diet but that's about it.  I really feel I need to be doing more. Thanks for an alternative to look into.

Fortis,Dad

SoCal
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13 July 2010 - 10:11 pm
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Fortis said:

.... I'm currently not really doing all that much for Fortis. I opted not to persue chemo. Fortis gets chiropractic/acupuncture treatments, basic supplements, and a high quality diet but that's about it.  I really feel I need to be doing more.

That sounds like a lot to me. (And Boomie didn't do chemo either.)  And what about the swimming fun, and all the "sewing projects" you have worked on for him?  Anyway, if you feel inspired to try the mushrooms, or anything else for that matter, then go for it, but you're already doing the most important thing for Fortis by just being his dad.  In fact, I'll bet that among all the doggies on these forums and all the different treatment/feeding/care plans, there is only one common denominator, and it's the only one that the dogs really care about: love.

Sappy, yes?  But true, I think.

 

Cindy

 

Cindy and Boomie

Boomie's leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma on May 15, 2008.  He enjoyed over two and a half years of life after that, one day at a time.  He died on Feb. 21, 2011.

Los Angeles
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14 July 2010 - 9:31 am
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Thanks for all of this great information! I give Mackenzie the power mushrooms from Health Concerns but curious to know what

brasilienses extract is or what effect it's supposed to have.  Appreciate learning more about all of this.   And I couldn't agree with you more about the one thing that dogs really care about.......love! smile

Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)  

 

 

My sweet golden Mackenzie.  She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2  although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home.  She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009.  She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes.  I love you Mackenzie!

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14 July 2010 - 9:52 am
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kbryant said:

curious to know what brasilienses extract is or what effect it's supposed to have. 


Kami,
 

When I searched for brasillenes extract I couldn't find anything useful but when I searched for "Royal Sun Blazei, Himematsutake" which is what the Fungi Perfecti website has it listed under, I found this:

Agaricus subrufescens (incorrectly known as Agaricus blazei, Agaricus sylvaticus) is a species of mushroom, commonly known as Agaricus Blazei Murill Mushroom, Almond mushroom, or himematsutake (Japanese: "princess matsutake") and by a number of other names. Agaricus subrufescens is a choice edible, with a somewhat sweet taste and fragrance of almonds. This mushroom is also well known as a medicinal mushroom, for its purported medicinal properties, due to research which indicates it may stimulate the immune system.

See Wikipedia entry for more details…

Also see HIMEMATSUTAKE: Mushroom of the Gods

Scientific studies**** show that Himematsutake mushrooms have been successful in treating:

  • Anti-tumor activity against various allergenic and syngeneic tumors
  • Lung cancer
  • Prevention of oncogenesis
  • Prevent tumor metastasis

****I'm skeptical only because they don't cite what studies.

And finally, see: Truths and myths about the mushroom Agaricus blazei 

ABSTRACT

The mushroom Agaricus blazei Murrill was discovered in Piedade, state of São Paulo, Brazil, and sent to Japan to be studied for its medicinal properties. Studies in guinea pigs revealed antitumor properties, triggering Japanese importation of A. blazei from Brazil. Because of its high price on the international market, many companies and rural growers produce A. blazei as alternative crop to increase income, but because interest in this mushroom occurred suddenly there has not been enough time for the scientific community to investigate it and, technology used for its cultivation is still based on empirical rules. There are also some contradicting data regarding the classification of this mushroom, and its antitumor properties still need to be confirmed in humans.

  • Enhancer when used as an adjunct to chemotherapy
  • Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
    tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

    SoCal
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    14 July 2010 - 3:29 pm
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    I clicked on that Truths and Myths article, and it was enough to make my head spin.  All the taxonomic lingo, the disputes over the name(s) of these mushrooms, the obvious interest in how effective they may be, and yet the lack of difinitive answers just make it all very confusing.  I'm not knocking the study.  It just goes waaay over my head.

    The reason I started Boomie on Mush in the first place, was that after reading (2 years ago) about the possible benefits of mushrooms, including Jerry's clinical trials with the K-9 Immunity, and also on the BCD forum, I felt that there might be something to them, even if it might turn out to be little more than a "chicken soup" effect. (It couldn't hurt).    And if I could get the same quality soup at a better price, so much the better.   Is Mush the same quality as K-9 Immunity?   Is either product truly effective?  I don't know.  How can I find out?  Right now, all I have to go on is the personal experience of others like me, and my desire to help my sick dog live longer. 

    Cindy and Boomie

    Boomie's leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma on May 15, 2008.  He enjoyed over two and a half years of life after that, one day at a time.  He died on Feb. 21, 2011.

    Los Angeles
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    14 July 2010 - 11:39 pm
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    Thanks Jerry for this information! Really appreciate it...like Cindy, my head is spinning too so will be reviewing these links...very interesting to say the least! I agree with you Cindy that even if it only has the chicken soup effect, can't hurt either. smile

     

    Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)

    My sweet golden Mackenzie.  She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2  although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home.  She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009.  She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes.  I love you Mackenzie!

    On The Road


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    15 July 2010 - 5:02 pm
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    buglady said:

    Is Mush the same quality as K-9 Immunity?   Is either product truly effective?  I don't know.  How can I find out?  Right now, all I have to go on is the personal experience of others like me, and my desire to help my sick dog live longer. 


     

    Yep. Until scientists put more funds into researching mushroom therapy so we can have more verifiable, published studies, what we have to go on are the anectotal stories of pups like Boomie. Thank you for sharing, Boomie's story will certainly help others decide when facing these decisions.

    Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
    tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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